Herbert Macdonald Mowat
Unionist
Mr. MOWAT:
I accept with readiness
the laughter, the forced merriment which I hear. I do not believe that my hon. friend who laughs that way and sneers about Canada being a nation can really be the good Canadiaii that I would have taken him to be. If there is one thing that has engendered pride of race, pride of country and a true spirit of patriotism in Canada, it is the idea that in view of Canada's contribution to the great conflict she is recognized as beginning to be a real nation. True, she is a member of the galaxy of British nations, but that does not alter the situation. We shall go on henceforth trying to make Canada great and good; trying to get rid of racial troubles which we have had. Hon. members know that I made a strong plea during the last session in this regard, and I repeat it: we can never be a nation unless we eradicate difficulties of that nature; unless a strong effort is made and the best of good feeling is exerted with the view of bringing them to an end. We are of many races, and unless we have the spirit that will get us together we shall never have the future which we all desire. So that regardless of what comment may be made on the name chosen, nothing could be better, nothing more true. We are a national party; it is a union of two parties who respect each other, and who
do not in any way try to interfere with each other's former ideas. It is Liberal and it is Conservative. My friends the Conservatives have had the grace to allow the word " Liberal " to come first because we are the fewest in numbers, but the three names, " Conservative", " National", " Liberal", do seem to me to combine not only the elements of the party, but the ideals for which they will continue to strive.